Pre-game quotes
JAMES BORREGO – HORNETS HEAD COACH
On Miles Bridges playmaking ability and the importance of that with the injuries:
“It’s huge for us and I think as I told him before last game, this is his time to go out there and display his skill level and he’s really turned the corner in that area from last year to this year – it’s been a significant move from last year to this year and you’re seeing it more and more every game. So, extremely important right now to put the ball in his hands, his usage will go up and he’s playing with the ball in his hands in the pick-and-roll – he’s handling, he’s setting screens. He’s handling in DHOs. We’ve posted him a little bit, not as much as we’ve done in the past, but he’s done a great job. He’s able to shoot the ball off the bounce a little bit more now. He’s got the catch-and-shoot right now. So, I think he’s putting on a full display, but to answer your question, the playmaking is the biggest thing I’m seeing out of his growth and development right now. I trust him, I really do. And I don’t think any of us saw that he would make this type of leap. And it’s interesting, when you get an opportunity like this, when you’re forced to do it my hope and belief is that it’s only going to be here and it’s going to stay there pretty consistently. So, he’s a big part of this. He’s got to keep us afloat right now. I think he’s on pace for 90-50-40, I believe. I mean, he’s right there. That’s an elite class right there to shoot .900% from the free throw line, .400% from 3, .500% from the field and I think he’s knocking on the door stop right there.”
On Miles Brides getting consideration for Most Improved Player of the Year
“I’d put him in that category. Obviously, I’m not a voter, it’s not up to me. I have not studied it, there’s a lot of players throughout the league that have shown great improvement from this year to last year. He’s had significant growth. We still got a lot of basketball to play, so let’s see how he continues. If he continues at this pace, absolutely he should be in consideration. He’s done a great job. He’s really worked his tail off and there’s a major care factor, Miles really cares about playing every game. He cares about competing. He cares about winning and really proud of his growth.”
On his assessment of Vernon Carey Jr.’s defense going into a game against Portland who has length:
“Well, he didn’t back down, I think that’s the biggest thing I saw in Brooklyn. Young guys can get overwhelmed by the moment and just get beat up and thrown around down there, but I thought he held his ground. Tonight will be a little bit different. (Jusuf) Nurkic is a load down there, he’s a little bit different than the centers we saw in Brooklyn. So, tonight’s another good test. I think every game’s going to present a different challenge for Vern. Tonight’s going to be a load down there that he’s got to battle. It’s going to be a big rebounding effort by him tonight. He’s got two big guys (on Portland) who can go out there and rebound, so it’ll be a little bit different than the Brooklyn game. It’s a good test. Let’s see what he looks like, how he learns, how he develops, and we’ll get a good test. But what I saw on film was positive. He has a great feel for the game. His timing is there for rebounding. His timing is there for blocking a shot, going to challenge at the rim. I don’t see him yet as a step slow at the rim. Pick-and-roll defense we’re trying to figure that out, where to put him, I’m not sure. I’m working through that right now with the staff. Where do we want to put him in the pick-and-roll, I just don’t have that answer yet. We’re going to figure that out over the remaining the games. But his timing at the rim, the feel, he does have that.”
